Bovurkhan Monastery in Artsakh


Bovurkhan Monastery is located in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh. It was built in the 17th century, in the historical Varanda province of Artsakh. The monastery complex was the summer residence of the Varanda meliks. In 2023, the monastery was annexed by Azerbaijan along with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
The Bovurkhan Monastery Complex is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 

Armenian Heritage Scanning Program


Since 2020, the preservation of the historical, cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh has become a critical issue. Since 2020, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies has launched the “Global Armenian Heritage Scanning Initiative” program, the goal of which is to document, preserve and make Armenian historical and cultural monuments accessible to the public, specialists engaged in the reconstruction and restoration of monuments, and researchers. In “Artfocus,” Anahit Margaryan discussed the topic with Hule Keshishyan, Senior Manager of the 3D Scanning Project at the TUMO Creative Center.

World dramaturgy in Armenian: who is the addressee?


In recent years, there has been great activity in translating world drama into Armenian. Moreover, many of the playwrights are being performed in Armenian for the first time. At the same time, Armenian theaters do not seem to be using these translations. Why is world drama translated, for the reader or for the theater? These questions are discussed in the program “Parallel Readings” by literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan, Arkmenik Nikoghosyan, and translator, film critic Zaven Boyajyan.

St. Ascension Church in Artsakh


The Church of the Holy Ascension in Berdzor is the first church in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to declare independence in the 20th century. It was consecrated on May 31, 1998.
The church, along with the city of Berdzor, came under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces in 2022. Satellite photos from May 2024 show that it was completely destroyed by Azerbaijan.
The deliberate destruction of the church is a gross violation of international law and is considered a grave crime against humanity.
 

Gandzasar in Artsakh


Gandzasar Monastery is located in the Martakert region of the Republic of Artsakh, near the village of Vank. Hasan Jalal Dolan, the prince of the Khachen province of Artsakh, began the construction of the St. John Church in 1216. The construction lasted 22 years.
In 2023, the monastery, along with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, was annexed by Azerbaijan. Gandzasar Monastery is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 

Shoshkavank in Artsakh


Shoshkavank is located in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh, on a mountain peak between the villages of Msmna and Khachmach. In 2023, the monastery was occupied by Azerbaijan along with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Shoshkavank is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Ulubab Monastery in Artsakh


The village of Ulubab is in the Askeran region of the Republic of Artsakh. The village, which has a rich history, was the royal residence of Uli Pap, a descendant of the famous Hasan Jalalyan dynasty of Artsakh, and was named Ulupap or Ulubab after him. St. Gevorg of Ptkesberk is located here. In 2023, together with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the monastery was occupied by Azerbaijan. The monastery of the Holy Young Children is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Holy Mother of God Church in Khnushinak


The Holy Mother of God Church in the village of Khnushinak, Martuni region, Republic of Artsakh is a basilica built on two spans of arches. It was built in 1860, with the funds of Hayrapet Bey Dolukhanyan from Shushi. In 2023, the church was occupied by Azerbaijan along with the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Holy Mother of God Church in Khnushinak is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 

Bri Eghtsi Monastery Complex in Artsakh


Bri Eghtsi Monastery is located in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh.
It is the largest monastery in Artsakh by area. It was built in the 13th century. The monastery complex is especially famous for its walled khachkars.
In 2023, the monastery was occupied by Azerbaijan along with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Bri Eghtsi Monastery in the village of Hatsi is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 

The Valley of Cross Stones in Artsakh


On the roadside of the village of Shahmasur in Artsakh is the area called the Valley of Cross-Stones, which is a medieval Armenian cemetery. It was built in the 11th-12th centuries. The number of officially certified cross-stone monuments in the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic reaches two thousand. After the occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by Azerbaijan in 2023, their condition is unknown.
 

The Koshik desert Monastery Complex in Artsakh


The Koshik Desert Monastery Complex is located in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh. 
The monastery was one of the spiritual centers of the Khaghbakyan princes of Artsakh. It was built in the 11th-12th centuries. The name of the monastery, Koshik, probably comes from the word goshk. Goshk is a name for a group of hermits living in the mountains. Since 2023, the monastery, along with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, has been occupied by Azerbaijan. It is under the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 

Armenian rock and non-formal education


In 2013, during the "The Levels of Sound" music courses at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Arik Grigoryan founded the "Tambata" band. Today, the band is active in Armenia and abroad. The band members are young people aged 14-21. Anahit Margaryan spoke with rock musician and educator Arik Grigoryan about their activities, Armenian rock, informal music education, and the problems of alternative music in Armenia in "Artfocus".